Runners united: I run, I do running, I am a runner

[DebiTheScot]

We've run out of room on the other thread so I hope you don't mind me starting the new one.
This thread is for runners to share running stories and chat about life in general too. Anyone with running shoes welcome!

Our latest race list is below. Feel free to add or remove races from it.

06/07/11- Yately 10k: DebiTheScot
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug
10/07/11 - Felsted 10K: bonkers20
16/07/11 - Phoenix park 5 miler - drivingmisscrazy
17/07/11 - RFL St Albans - Pawsnclaws
17/07/11 - Dundee Half marathon - TheChewyToffeeMum
17/07/11- Chichester (Sprint) Triathlon: DebiTheScot
24/07/11 - Harrogate town centre 10k - DrNortherner
20/08/11 - Frank Duffy 10 mile, Dublin - drivingmisscrazy
03/09/11 - Dingle Half-Marathon - drivingmisscrazy
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon - thetasigmamum
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon- N4nny
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal, LaLa
23/09/11 - Notting Half Marathon: cestlavie
25/09/11 - Edinburgh Urbanathlon: backwardpossom
25/09/11 - Windsor Half Marathon: Doyouthinktheysaurus
25/09/11 - London Half Marathon Run to the beat: June2009
25/09/11 - New Forest Half Marathon: MoshiMoshi
02/10/11 - Standalone 10K: Futurity
02/10/11 - Bradford Half Marathon - MrsWednesday
02/10/11 - Baxter's River Ness 10k - backwardpossom
02/10/11 - The Run, Northampton - YeahThatsTheBadger
09/10/11 - Great Eastern Run, Peterborough - Futurity
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
30/10/11 - Great South Run: Wheely, squix
20/11/11 - Leeds Abbey Dash (10k) - DrNortherner
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely
27/05/12 - London Bupa 10K - Futurity

Hello all. I've just read over a week's worth of posts in one go. Phew!

Last week's race reports were quite inspiring. Debi, honestly, my heart was pounding reading your description of the start of your tri! How exciting. I definitely want to do one but I am hoping to start TTC DC2 very soon and so expect to be pregnant or have a newborn by next summer or before.

There are a couple of tri series that take place in Bedford throughout the year, but not sure they would suit a novice.

Congrats to Peach and Rhetorician on your/DP's scans.

I've been getting out for my 2.5 mile plods this week. Hopefully I will be able to increase it by at least 10% next week and be ready to try a Parkrun very soon, I'm taking it very cautiously as I've had horrible shin splints and itbs in the past and I'm not getting any younger...

Anyone racing this weekend?

quenelle great stuff - everyone seems to be running well (just typed 'funning' which seems appropriate)

slf yes, I know - the access issue is still a huge problem in most parts of the country - even the new Dublin Mountains Partnership (trails, mountain biking etc) has run into some difficulty; a lot of people I know who like to walk just get on the ferry to North Wales! It's such a lost opportunity at a time when rural areas in particular need any source of income they can find. Mind you, if you've seen the state of the Phoenix Park after a sunny bank holiday weekend, you can hardly blame the landowners. I think running has taken off precisely because of the downturn - it's cheap, it's easy to do etc. But I think there were something like 15 or 20 marathon events for this year, lots of triathlons, and ultra-type challenges - this in mayo is the most famous - for a country of 4 million people that seems like a lot!

just did 10k of hills - well 2k there and back warm-up and 6 ks of up and down. I am tired today - yesterdays' intervals, plus (possibly?) the 2 modest glasses of red wine I had last night after DD had gone to bed (DP at the farm, but can't drink anyway). But I managed to slog up the 600m long one 3 times, so am fairly happy - not fast, but that wasn't in the plan.

Thanks rhet my efforts seem a little humble at the moment compared to you lot. Can I add myself to the race list? I'm planning to enter the Standalone 10k (although last time I was due to race there I strongly suspected I was pregnant so pulled out the night before, I would be quite happy if the same thing happened again ).

But anyway:

24/07/11 - Harrogate town centre 10k - Dr Northerner
20/08/11 - Frank Duffy 10 mile, Dublin - rhetorician
03/09/11 - Dingle Half-Marathon - rhetorician
04/09/11 - Great Scottish Run Half-Marathon: EmmaBemma
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon - thetasigmamum
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon- N4nny
11/09/11 - Addidas 5K: MoshiMoshi
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal, LaLa, SLF, Fannybanjo
23/09/11 - Notting Half Marathon: cestlavie
25/09/11 - Edinburgh Urbanathlon: backwardpossom
25/09/11 - Windsor Half Marathon: Doyouthinktheysaurus
25/09/11 - London Half Marathon Run to the beat: June2009
25/09/11 - New Forest Half Marathon: MoshiMoshi
02/10/11 - Standalone 10K: Futurity, Quenelle
02/10/11 - Bradford Half Marathon - MrsWednesday
02/10/11 - Baxter's River Ness 10k - backwardpossom
02/10/11 - The Run, Northampton - YeahThatsTheBadger
09/10/11 - Great Eastern Run, Peterborough - Futurity
09/10/11 - Herts 10k - WishIwasCherryMenlove
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
30/10/11 - Great South Run: Wheely, squix
30/10/11 - Nairobi Standard Chartered Half Marathon - M&M
05/11/11 - Glendalough Trail Run - rhetorician
19/11/11 - Maasai Mara Half Marathon - M&M
20/11/11 - Leeds Abbey Dash (10k) - DrNortherner
27/11/11 - City of Norwich half marathon: ibbydibby
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely
22/04/12 - VLM: MoshiMoshi, ibbydibby
27/05/12 - London Bupa 10K - Futurity

Hope everyone been running well and looking forward to nice weekend and (if have DC) school holidays!

rhet an average time of 10 minute mile not to be sniffed at! I think we all probably focus a lot on times but really it's the getting off our backsides and doing what we do which we should be really proud of. I feel far more pride when I've done a decent, good run and think what I've achieved in comparison to a few years ago. I sometimes feel like never timing myself because it puts more pressure on me and takes away the fun...

I did 4.5 mile trail run yesterday and LOVED it. Up and down little hills, jumping over logs, dodging squirrels - went with a friend and it was a slow run but trail runs aren't supposed to be sprints are they?!

I have an infection in my gum so feel quite poorly so this weekend I am having a rest. I will do my LSR on Monday as have 3 day course of strong antibiotics so best to finish them first, don't want to deplete my immune system of everything.

Got pilates preliminary course tomorrow so looking forward to that - 4 bloody hours though!

Anyway all enjoy your Friday evening! DH and DD1 gone to Blenheim Palace camping so bit of peace and quiet (although DD2 and DD3 are not making the right noises about going to sleep.... )

And how is DrNo feeling about the 10K this weekend...?!

Quenelle - any running is valid here. All it takes is dedication not distance.

Nice trail run, fanny! Good luck with the pilates course. Are you looking to teach eventually?

3.28M recovery run with dog and DS today. All seemed to enjoy it. My cunning plan to create a family of runners is taking shape!

Enjoy your weekends all and happy injury-free running.

Moshi - did your DS manage to run the full 3.28 miles? DD1 is due to start Harriers when she is 9 - I am really pushing her to do it as I think running is great fitness base for any sport and she is very sporty child but because she knows I really want her to she is playing up about it... Little minx, I will be dragging her around the track, I can just see it.

I'm not doing course to teach - the local Pilates instructor is very thorough and won't let you participate in any classes unless you have basic knowledge of pilates which is good as it is probably crucial to at least know what you are doing as saves the instructor spending the whole class showing newbies what to do. I'm not used to being so sedentary during exercise though...

Moshi just curious as to how your visla gets on with the children? And is there someone at home all day? I'd heard that they are great dogs, but that they need a lot of interaction, and that they aren't recommended for people who have no experience with dogs. My neighbour has one - he's gorgeous (the dog, that is!). We wouldn't get a dog for a few years, but we've thought about vislas -partly because she could run with me.

I've just looked at my running log and it's mapped today's hill run as being in downtown Boston! peculiar...

DP home so my lone parenting stint is over for now; her turn next week...

GOOD LUCK on sunday DrNo !

sounds like lots of great runs around - well done on your hills rhet - I don't do enough hills. Do a couple per outside run (unless i deliberately map around them !) but there aren't that many around here (excuses excuses).

So I've finally got my new bike . Been out for a little 'go' this afternoon - too much traffic. Made me realise that being in a big car feels far safer than on a bike ! Need to practise more. Not much chnce over w/e as away tomorrow for neice's birthday - back sunday but need to do and long run. Tgought about early tomorrow but DH needs to lie in (genuine health reasons on top of genuine work reasons !).

fanny - yes, he did have a little moment in mile 2 but I talked him out of it and he managed just fine. I watched him carefully all the way and could see he was capable of it.

rhet - they adore each other but I can see why it is not recommended as a breed for first time owners. It is our first dog as a family but the breeder quite carefully checked us out and seemed to think as a family with 4 kids, we would be just fine. I don't think that working even part-time would be a good idea with a dog like this though as they need you there all the time. There were moments when she was full on puppy with sharp teeth when I wondered whether we were being a bit naive but that soon passed and I think the match is perfect. She is very hyperactive but we are also a very lively family so well tuned into each other. And of course she is a fabulous running dog. She does need a lot of mental interaction and hates being separated from me so is more like another child than a family pet in the sense that she needs to be acknowledged more than another breed of dog would be. A hyperactive child is how I see her.

hello all

have been absent from thread quick skim read, sorry if I missed big announcements
lovely to read reports from last weekend, good luck for all racing this weekend

time for running has been limited but have been trying to focus on doing tempo/ fartlek and shortish runs. a bit under the weather at the moment but hopefully will fit something in at weekend

so glad school is out

happy running

Hello all! My Internet is broken so I'm on my husband's phone.

Thanks to squix, ibbydibby and chewy for your run shop help- I'll go for a recce soon. Couple off days off after my cortisone injection and then it's 6 weeks exactly to the big race! Feeling not ready at all. Hope that will change.

Park run this morning with a beginner friend then parties and family stuff for the rest of the weekend I think.

Oh and not all of us have broken up from school yet

Progressive run today of 9.46M in 1:13. Average pace 7:49m/m. Didn't go well actually as I failed to hit HMP and tempo paces at the end. I seemed to be stuck in MP miles ! With hindsight: (i) my MLR mid-week was probably a bit too fast and I will hold back a bit more to keep that run a steady run, and (ii) I should try not to run much if I do Bootcamp on my recovery run day as this is the day before my quality sessions on Saturday and can leave me feeling a bit tired. Still a hugely enjoyable week of somewhere between 50-55 miles.

Been to Pilates preliminary course today which was good - I have mild scoliosis so it will definitely benefit me so I've booked in for 2 sessions this week - I'll have to start getting up early to fit my runs in now kids have broken up. never mind - I do enjoy an early morning run - it'll do ne good to get my legs used to being up and running early!

Moshi I'm very of your times and have to laugh when you say you're not happy with them!! Obviously you know your potential and push yourself - I could do with a smidgen of what you've got.

No running this weekend for me so nowt to report on that front. I'm looking forward to getting DDs to bed as early night for me. Rock and roll hey...

Evening all, sorry I have been AWOL abit lately, I have been running I promise! Just a manic week at work, and ds broke up yesterday so loads on at schoo;, and I have had a few nights out this week. I am not doing my 10k tomorrow, my Mum is not too well so I am visiting her instead as I am off to Spain on Tues for 10 days. However, it is my running club hosting the 10k and we ran the route on Tues as a training run so feel like I did it anyway

Did BMF this morning, will run a 6 miler on Monday, will also get a few runs in on holiday, before it gets too hot!

Hope you are all well

Hey all, just posting to say hi as I saw the thread! I have not been on MN much lately, too busy running ;-D not quite the 5 times a week, more like 2, and occasionally 1! I am doing between 2-3 miles a time though, and depending on where I run I can do it non-stop now. Unless i run to the citadel on the sea front, then it is all uphill for a while so i have to stop and walk for a couple of minutes and change my music!

I am really enjoying it, the me time, and wish i could run for longer sometimes just because I feel so good. So I expect I will be doing 5miles before the end of the year

Hope everyone is good, will go and read some posts.

Pavlov I am sure there was once a thread a couple of years back where you bought a Monsoon dress and I had too (can't remember what my user name was then - probably pgwithnumber3) - if you have a look at my profile I have it on on one of the pics! - it was YOU wasn't it - you were saying about wearing it on holiday with flat sandals.... Anyway, well done on getting running - you won't regret it!

Ooh, can I join?

A life-long runner who is struggling post DD (now 10 months). Finally, finally did a half decent run (can I count 5.5 miles in 45.5 min as half decent?!) but then can have interval of a week before next run by time DH able to look after (usually weekend, sometimes a Thurs) and I'm not feeling too idle exhausted

My last race was the GNR (in 2006!!!!), though I did 1hr 37sec so I know I should be able to pull my finger out and get cracking again.... Would love to get pg again though, so think I lack motivation as I know I'll lose it all again.

Any pointers for gearing up again?!

fanny was it the one with the brown halterneck/jewelled neck and black stripes and salmon body? I am sure it was us, I shall go and look at your profile!

I still have it, hardly wear it these days. I am sure I am shrinking.

yep that was me! but you look much much more beautiful in it than me

lovely photos of the littleuns btw!

Yes that's the one! I've only worn it a couple of times, once to the Races and once on my birthday. It's bloody uncomfortable on the chest though, found myself hiking it up all night or that could be the fact that after breastfeeding 3 kids there's feck all to keep it up. Are you shrinking as in height...?

Haha don't be daft, bet you looked gorgeous in it! Hey we should both wear it for a fun run... Look amazing with our trainers and hair in a topknot.

I think of myself as being like MrsPepperpot. But minus the enormous backside

we take take an awful long time to run through wouldn't we, having to stop every couple of minutes to pull it up round the boobs. Not sure it would go with trainers, and I can't run in flipflops!

Yeah but we would look class wouldn't we... We could stylise our trainers to match. Add some beads on them.